Elaborate on the explanation given in the Department's
memorandum of 24 March 2003 that the delay in laying this Order
before Parliament was due to an administrative error.

102. At the time of signing the Order the Minister
raised a number of questions concerning the relationship between
policing objectives set under section 37 of the Police Act 1996
and those contained in the National Policing Plan made under section
36A of the Police Act 1996 (inserted by section 1 of the Police
Reform Act 2002).

103. Advice was provided to the Minister and
the Order was made. Unfortunately there was then a delay before
the Minister's private office passed the made Order to the officials
responsible for laying statutory instruments. It was then promptly
laid. The Minister's private secretary apologies for this delay.

104. The procedures for checking that an instrument
that has been sent for signature has indeed been signed have been
reviewed and steps are being taken to try to avoid a repetition
of this delay.